Retail union Usdaw says North East shop workers are angry over proposals not to jail shoplifters as stealing from stores is regularly a flashpoint for violent assaults.

Usdaw says violent shoplifters are responsible for many of the 20,000 physical assaults on shop workers every year.

Usdaw North East divisional officer Mike Brewer said: "Shoplifting is a serious offence where persistent offenders with serious drug or drink problems regularly verbally abuse staff, so the assumption that only violent offenders should face a possible jail sentence is flawed."